Killer Kale Smoothie

So being The Holy Kale and all I realized that I have been quite selfish for not sharing with you all of my favorite, and most dear kale recipes. So to make it up to you, I am going to do my very best to start posting them as frequently as I can measure them out (I am terrible at cooking with measurements, I am more of a “make it up along the way” kinda girl). Therefore, I am going to start you off with my new current obsession… The Killer Kale Smoothie!

Like a lot of you, I tend to get myself into what I like to call food ruts. This is where I am completely obsessed with a few things and stick to them until I am absolutely, positively, completely over them… and I fear this may not be any different than the rest. With that being said, this may actually be a good sign, because I tend to only obsess over things that not only taste amazing, but also give you that long-lasting energy we all so desperately need.

So why a Killer Kale smoothie you may ask? Well as cheesy as it might be, this drink has been my saving grace during an outrageously crazy time in my life. When you have moved across the country with all of your favorite things in boxes and bags, you realize how important it is to have access to good, healthy food that is both quick and easy to make, and especially to a food that does not make you tired and sleepy. That is what the Killer Kale smoothie is to me. Therefore, this smoothie has been at the foundation of my “getting though the day” survival pack, making a big batch in the morning and savoring it throughout the day. Absolute perfection, and worth every drop of The Holy Kale obsession!

*You will notice that I add a few superfoods like hemp, bee pollen, rice bran and coconut flakes to my smoothie. While these are optional, they improve the nutrition of the smoothie adding extra healing and weight loss promoting fats and protein. To learn more about superfoods, go here.

Almonds – rich in vegan protein!

THK Killer Kale Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c Almond Milk (unsweetened)

1 1/2 heaping tbs. Almond Butter, raw

1 Banana, frozen (frozen is key)

1 bunch Kale (about 2 cups)

Extra Goodness: although not required, so much tastier and healthier with!

Instructions:

Blend up in a high speed blender until completely smooth (no chunks or bumps). My VitaMix does the best job!

Sprinkle with Bee Pollen and Hemp Seeds

A little note about Rice Bran. This is not a very common superfood, but it has quickly become one of my favorites. I seriously cannot live without it for a number of reasons. First off it tastes amazing! It has a creamy, vanilla flavor that is perfect for smoothies, desserts and to even to eat plain (I have been known to have my head stuck in a jar many late nights). Secondly, Rice Bran is a fabulous superfood because it is a natural source of 100 vital nutrients that we don’t typically get in adequate amounts from our diets, and it is so nutrient dense it can even act as a multi vitamin! Amazing I know. Finally, it is a natural source of CoQ10, that amazing antioxidant that has shown to improve cardiovascular health and also increase cellular energy.

* Note: if you are currently on Statin drugs, it is essential that you supplement with CoQ10.

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41 Comments

Frozen bananas have changed my life. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I’m obsessed with smoothies and they make everything taste good! I love any combo of greens, bananas and nut butter, but I’ll have to try adding hemp seeds and rice brans (2 ingredients I’ve never had). Thanks for the idea!

Absolutely! The frozen banana really makes it creamier almost. And yes, I LOVE rice bran. It is really the best thing ever because it has a creamy vanilla-like taste which is perfect for smoothies and dessert recipes, and its super rich in Vitamin E and it helps balance blood sugar as well. Definitely try it. This is where I get mine (sometimes it is hard to find): Rice Bran Superfood

I just recently purchased a vitamix and have been smoothie crazy lately. I love having at least one green smoothie a day. I can’t wait to try out this kale smoothie! I’ve been using dino kale and I wonder if the curly kale is better for smoothies since I’ve read it has a mild flavor. The dino kale is just SO green (which I love!) Do you make your own nut butter?

Well I typically love the Dino Kale for making salads, I will massage with lemon juice and olive oil and then top with seeds, dried fruit etc. and then use the curly kale for the smoothies. Like you said it does have a milder taste so it can be blended with other flavors well. As for the nut butter, I usually make nut cheeses and then just get the artisana raw butters…. sooo good and they have flavors like pistachio, macadamia …. yummm!

Glad to have finally found the holy kale!!!! I drink a lot of green smoothies, but I was wondering how strong this is with an entire bunch of kale. Whenever I use more than 2-3 stalks it seems very strong. Maybe I have not acquired enough of a taste for it in smoothies. I love kale salads and kale in my juice. Thoughts?!

Thanks for the great recipe, I will be trying it out, but would be interested in a substitute for rice bran which some studies have shown is linked with high levels of arsenic, owing to rice’s ability to take up arsenic from the soil.

Hi Don, I can understand your concern, but most people can process the oxalic acid just fine with moderation in mind. WIth that being said, I would always be more mindful of oxalic acid consumption if you are dealing with kidney stones or other kidney related issues.

Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads
up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why
but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.

I was planning on purchasing the Premier Research Labs Daily Multi per your Basic Supplement Plan recommendation, but then I saw the Immunologic Rice Bran and now I am a little confused. Could I take both of these together, or would that be ‘overdosing’? Could I take the rice bran instead of the PRL Daily Multi (since you mentioned it could act as a multi-vitamin)? Basically, with these 2 supplements, is it one OR the other or can they be taken in unison? Thanks!

I would suggest taking them in unison. The daily multi definitely has a broader spectrum of nutrients, but the rice bran is especially high in Vitamin E which I think is a very important vitamin for overall health. Not to mention the rice bran tastes amazing, so its an easy addition.

Hello Lauren, I have been trying to change my diet around and add more leafy greens such as kale and spinach; however, I stumbled upon this website right after reading your (this) post on kale smoothies.

I would love if you could take a look at it and tell me what you think.

HI Danny, Oxalates are found in green leafy vegetables, but unless you have issues with your kidneys, then I would not be concerned. The amount that you would have to eat daily to cause any issues would be more than the common person consumes, and your body should be able to process them just fine. The only time I tell people to be careful of foods with oxalates is if they have kidneys issues, and if they have had kidney stones that were composed of oxalates. Other than that I do not have any concerns about it.

Hi there – I am new to the kale bandwagon, but happily joining the ride :). I was wondering if you have ever steamed the kale before putting in the smoothie? Does that increase the nutritional value? Also, when using raw kale, do you tear it up into the measuring cup and pack it like brown sugar to measure it? Or just toss it in to the measuring cup? I was a little confused and it makes a huge difference in the amount of kale
Thanks so much!!

I would not steam the kale. In a smoothie, that would change the taste. While steaming vegetables is most certainly the best way to cook them in terms of preserving their nutrients, even then some are lost. Therefore, consuming it raw is best, but even more than that, it tastes WAY better in a smoothie. In terms of a cup, I would typically just grab a large hand full of cut up kale and throw it in. I am not huge on measurements and really like the kale taste, so you will have to play around with it to see what suits you best. Good Luck!!

The name is perfect. Between the banana, almond milk, almond butter and bee pollen it is a killer. I want to live healthier but have yet to find a kale smoothie recipe I can drink. Is all that essential?

About Lauren

Hi Kale Enthusiasts! My name is Lauren and I am a certified nutritionist but more importantly a nutrition nerd. My favorite things are farmer's markets, the ocean, my vitamix, stopping to smell the roses and most anything that comes straight from the ground. Welcome to my quest!

The Mission

Join me in my quest to find "The Holy Kale" of the health and wellness world. On this journey I will share with you the best way to feed your mind, body and soul so that you can be inspired to express your ultimate health!